EuroLeague Officials Optimistic on Return of Games to Israel

EuroLeague CEO and competition director concluded a series of meetings in Israel on Sunday with representatives from Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, and Israeli Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar. Minister Zohar stated that the Israeli government is committed to ensuring the safety of EuroLeague teams, asserting that Israel is safer than Dubai, where games are currently scheduled. He also assured that in the event of war, immediate evacuation procedures would be implemented. Until a decision is reached, the teams will continue playing their European home games in neutral venues: Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem in Belgrade, and Hapoel Tel Aviv in Sofia, at least through November. If the decision is negative, the clubs will seek to finalize arrangements to play in Cyprus starting in early November. The meetings included discussions with players and their spouses regarding their sense of security and daily life in Israel. Mizrahi described the visit as "very, very intense," highlighting that officials witnessed full stadiums at a football match and a basketball game, as well as visited busy restaurants, to demonstrate the normal functioning of life in Israel. They also met with ambassadors from several European countries to brief them on the security situation.